Manchester defeat could mean record low for Aussies

Australia has a strong record of creating history. Remember those runs of 16 consecutive Test victories? That was when Australia was known as the dominator, and fans became bored with the inevitability of victory.

The fall from domination to mediocrity and defeat has been galling to watch this year and, should Australia lose again at Old Trafford, it would be become the worst team from Down Under - in terms of defeats - since a run of seven losses in 1887/88. That's the worst in 125 years.

Sadly this team started the series not knowing its best batting order and nothing has changed.

At the top Shane Watson flatters to deceive, good enough to whack a few fours, but vulnerable to the moving ball that hits his pads. His only red-ball hundred since Mohali in 2011 was before lunch at Worcester. That was not a Test match. His bowling has been more influential.

Chris Rogers has looked gritty and accomplished, but a few marginal decisions against him and Graeme Swann's hoodwinking at Lord's have cut him short. He is feeling the tension of combat.

Usman Khawaja is a smooth stroke maker, but is he mentally tough? He seems to get out too easily but he's the future and needs a good crack at establishing himself.

Phil Hughes looks hopeless against Swann. Embarrassing. But again he's the future isn't he? Or is it time to throw the mercurial David Warner into the mix for that 6-to-1 chance he'll unleash his power and boundary blows? Probably.

Michael Clarke is struggling, excuse me, to back up and as the team's best batsman and spin bowler he needs to win the toss and make a big hundred. Yes Michael, your country needs you.

Steve Smith has a back problem too but should recover and if his eye is sharp he can can score runs. A flawed technique, yes, but confidence can overcome that if he gets going. And at Lord's he bowled usefully when England was set for a big total.

Brad Haddin's valiant defiant innings at Trent Bridge that went so close to a miraculous win seemed to sap his decision-making at Lord's, not going for a catch when Joe Root was 8 and falling into the bad-judgement shot selection that has marred his record in the past. Still the best 'keeper but a hint of clinging on.

The bowlers can all bat, and Ryan Harris is the most likely strike weapon. Ashton Agar should make way for Nathan Lyon, who looked OK at Hove dropping into the zone of batting uncertainty when he got outside the eyeline of the batsman 's off stump with some dropping deliveries.

Replacing James Pattinson is a choice between a wicket-taking wayward Mitchell Starc or a more dependable reverse swing bowler like Jackson Bird. On an abrasive surface at Old Trafford Bird looks a chance, contrarily unflappable.

So there it is. Simple really: just make more runs and hope that Alastair Cook doesn't make the expected pile, and that Kevin Pietersen or Jonathan Trott miss out. And then there's Jimmy Anderson, playing at home, and already pencilled in as player of the series.